The NBA has granted Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's request to speak before its Board of Governors on April 14th - just four days before the Kings' relocation filing deadline. From his blog:
This means a couple of things: first, there’s still a little time left on the clock regarding our future with the Kings. Second, Sacramento means business when it comes to continuing our 25 year partnership with the NBA.
The former-hoops-star-turned-politician says he was inspired to meet with the NBA's Governing Board after conversations with former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. Charlotte lost the Hornets to New Orleans due to arena troubles of their own. But within six months, their city moved forward with a new downtown sports-and-entertainment complex and landed the NBA's most recent expansion franchise, the Bobcats, a year later.
Johnson also says he doesn't plan on heading to New York alone. He's hoping a "contingent of Sacramentans" accompany him to show David Stern and NBA team owners that Sacramento is committed to building a new arena - with or without the Kings.
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